How should glass evidence be collected to prevent injury during a crime scene investigation?

Collecting glass evidence with protective gloves and care is crucial to ensure the safety of the investigator and maintain the integrity of the evidence. Glass shards can pose a significant risk of injury, as they are sharp and can cause cuts or puncture wounds. By using protective gloves, an investigator can safely handle the glass without risking harm to themselves, while also avoiding contamination of the evidence.

Additionally, careful handling ensures that the shards are preserved in their original state, which is important for later analysis, such as matching the glass to a potential source or linking it to a suspect. Proper packaging immediately after collection further protects the evidence from additional breakage or contamination.

Using bare hands would increase the risk of injury and potential contamination, whereas using metal containers may not provide the cushioning needed to prevent further breakage unless they are padded appropriately. Finally, clearing the area of other evidence does not directly relate to the safe collection of glass evidence, as this primarily pertains to maintaining the scene's integrity rather than ensuring safety during collection.